The Beauties of Burn's Poems/Epitaph on Holy Willie
For other versions of this work, see Epitaph on Holy Willie.
Epitaph on Holy Willie.
Here Holy Willie's sair worn clayTaks up its last abode;His saul has taen some other way,I fear the left-hand road.
Stop! there he is, as sure's a gun,Poor silly body, see him:Nae wonder he's as black's the grun,Observe wha's standing wi' him.
Your brunstane Deevilship, I see,Has got him there before ye;But haud your nine-tail'd cat a wee,Till ance you've heard my story.
Your pity I will not implore,For pity ye hae nane;Justice. alas! has gi'en him o'er,And mercy's day is gaen.
But hear me, Sir, deil as you are,Look something to your credit;A coof like him wad stain your name,If it were kent ye did it.